Let's see him pass Barnes on the depth chart before we make him the starter.
I was so very happy with the selection of center Barrett Jones most all know that....likewise I am also happy with this years drafted center Demetrius Rhaney. But I need to say a bunch here on our current starting center.
The 6-3 308 pound
Tim Barnes starting in the interior with OG's of the like of Saffold/Robinson/Joseph instead of the like of last season with Chris Williams/Shelley Smith & Brandon Washington to get a fair judge of proper & right judge of the real full skill & abilities of Tim Barnes.
Barnes has
participated &
performed in three complete NFL Training Camps & Pre Seasons under his belt Jones has zero. Barnes has been active for 31 Ram games....Jones was dressed for just one game last season. Barnes finished five games as the Rams starter. Jones has zero. If Wells is unable to be our starter in 2014 I would far prefer Barnes as our starter & let the highly talented fully healthy Barrett Jones absorb a full 2014 NFL Ram season as the top reserve active reserve center & or OG's during Rams games. If Barnes does go down then it should be Barrett's job to be ready.
Unlike Scott Wells who has not been fully healthy since he was signed in 2012. Barnes is nothing short of being a complete opposite of Wells. Barnes had early career surgery on both shoulders in college but has been durable starting
40 consecutive games for Missouri. Since Barnes signed as a UDFA in July of 2011 Has remained
fully healthy for all the TC's & Pre Seasons &
healthy to dress for 30 Ram games &
healthy to finish five as our starting center.
Barnes has seems to be always overlooked...he was a 3 year starter. He was a Scrappy spread formation shotgun snapper . He has some good skills he plays with a good base has good knee bend. He is best in getting into position to wall off DL'ers. He show's during the five games he finished last season he is strong on down blocks on Zac's running power plays. He has grown in power since he came here to handle NT's on his nose. Sam Bradford will like Tim Barnes due to the fact that his snaps are crisp & very accurate & has a
excellent skills when centering for the shotgun. He has the ability to find a linebacker target. Barnes is mobile & get out to block on the edge. Now here's something else Barnes has a history of going about his career in a
smart approach where Barnes he was discarded at the conclusion of his college career ...no worry...was never considered to get an invite to the highly praised combine....no worry but yet here he is NOW lining up in the starting walk thru of the current Ram OL working as a team with former all pro's Davin Joseph & Jake Long, second overall 2014 first round draft pick Greg Robinson & Rodger Saffold & Barksdale......Me thinks Barrett Jones may need to get real Ram dirty, sweaty bruised strained overheated hurting Ram practices for a long time under his belt to earn the right to be where Tim Barnes has worked so hard to be!